Gambling in GermanyGambling has long enjoyed legal status in Germany. For much of recent history, it was up to local state authorities to regulate gambling in each area. Today, gambling in Germany is controlled on a much higher level. The popularity of gambling took a dive throughout most of the 1900s because of war and partition, but during the last decade, its popularity has skyrocketed.

Following a brief intermezzo between 2008 and 2012 when gambling was illegal under federal regulation (but legal in the state of Schleswig-Holstein), the German government introduced new rules regulating the licensing of gambling operators.

There are many casinos and authorized gambling centers across Germany, which are heavily regulated. Despite strict control, gambling in Germany is extremely popular.

Online Gambling in GermanyOnline gambling has had a troubled history until 2012, and is currently illegal, yet legal. The scene was largely unregulated until 2008, when a federal ban on gambling was introduced. It was struck down by the EU in 2010. In the wake of this decision the state of Schleswig-Holstein passed its own Act, licensing a number of online operators from 2012.

Also in 2012, Germany passed the latest Interstate Treaty on Gambling, strictly banning online gambling, and expecting the federal states to ratify it. They all did, with the exception of Schleswig-Holstein. Eventually the rebellious state also returned to the fold and scrapped its own Act, but not before issuing 23 licenses for internet casino operators, valid for 6 years.

In May 2013 the first German online casino, with a proper dot-de domain name was launched based on one of these licenses. In order to avoid paying damages the federal government is unlikely to block the operation of those online casinos that operate on S-H licenses, opting instead to wait out the six years.